Tag: Marzen

Once again, the fall seasonals have come and gone. Pumpkin and fresh hop ales, both of which fit the bill of “harvest” beers, have recently become eagerly anticipated offerings for many. But it is the venerable Märzen/Oktoberfest genre that has served autumnal revelers for centuries. Märzen, the historical designation, was made in the waning cool... View Article

Karl Strauss Brewing Co. San Diego, CA Available: CA What started as a community celebration of a royal Bavarian wedding in 1810, 200 years ago, has turned into a beer tradition like no other, drawing some six million people to Munich every fall. Karl Strauss brews this beer true to the traditional style. ABV: 5.0... View Article

Thomas Hooker Brewing Co. Bloomfield, CT Available: CT, MA, RI, NY, ME, FL, PA, GA Originally brewed to celebrate the beginning of the German brewing season and the 1810 wedding of crown prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxon-Hildburghausen. This amber beer was originally brewed in March (“Märzenbier”) and left to age in... View Article

Ayinger Brewery Aying, Bavaria Imported by: Merchant du Vin Tukwila, WA Available: nationwide Ayinger is located in the Bavarian village of Aying. Established in 1878, it is still family owned and operated. Ayinger Oktober Fest-Märzen is made via a decoction mash. ABV: 5.6 ABW: 4.46 Color: 8 Bitterness: 21 Original gravity: 1054

Bottom fermented, and with little room for error, lagers are in no way mundane or something to pass up experiencing. With so many different producers creating multiple varieties these days, one can experience a local brewer’s take on a tradition, variation thereof, or a classic benchmark brand that is more widely available.